Students Protest Designs of New Dorms

A demonstration of almost 1000 students (the largest of its kind held at Dickinson) marched to "Old West" to protest against the proposed designs of two new dorms.

The march was the culmination of a dispute over architectural plans submitted by Howell Louis Shay and associates. The march began at 6.30 p.m. in front of the Arts Center. Here, students gathered to watch as boxes symbolizing the new dormitories were doused with kerosene and set ablaze. Following this, students Tom Fornwalt, Jeffrey Baron and John Exdell readvised participants of the reasons for the march.

The march crossed High Street and stopped outside the steps of "Old West", where President Rubendall was about to preside over the monthly faculty meeting. After shouting "We Want Rubendall", the crowd cheered when President Rubendall emerged to hear the protest's proposals. Baron read four proposals calling for: 1) the drawing up of alternate building plans; 2) a display of faith no later than November 22; 3) properly advertised competition for other buildings; and 4) a committee of one student and two faculty members, one of whom must be from the fine arts department, to review future buildings.

Although President Rubendall did not issue an immediate statement, he remarked that he would be "delighted to meet with an appropriate committee". The march ended with the crowd singing the Alma Mater.